Axis deer, also known as chital, are medium‑sized deer with dark chocolate coats and rows of white spots. Introduced from India to Australia in the 1860s, they now form healthy wild populations near Charters Towers in Queensland and smaller isolated herds in New South Wales, South Australia and Victoria. Stags stand around 90 cm at the shoulder and weigh about 85 kg, while hinds weigh around 60 kg. Their slender antlers have three points on each side and can grow up to 35 inches, and the species’ spotted pelage makes it a favourite among trophy collectors.
Axis deer hunts are generally spot‑and‑stalk affairs in warm inland regions. These herd animals favour swampy areas with good grass and thick canopy cover, so guides scout lush clearings at dawn and dusk when deer feed and then stalk along the edges. There is no closed season or bag limit for deer in Victoria except for hog deer and Sambar deer with hounds, so chital hunts can be arranged year‑round with landholder permission. Hunters must move quietly and take advantage of wind direction because axis deer travel in groups and will alarm the whole herd if spooked.
Chital populations are limited compared with other deer species, and most hunting opportunities occur on private land. Victoria offers only limited hunting for this species, while Queensland has more robust herds. As introduced game, axis deer are managed under the Wildlife Act with an emphasis on sustainability and habitat conservation. Regulated hunting helps prevent overpopulation and crop damage, and because there is no formal season hunters are encouraged to harvest mature stags selectively.
Axis deer live in groups and rely on alarm whistles to warn of danger. They are sometimes seen sharing habitat with kangaroos and cattle in the grasslands. During the rut—often extending through summer—stags emit a high‑pitched call and herd hinds. Their spotted coats provide effective camouflage in dappled light, making them harder to spot than their size suggests.
Axis Deer can be found in the following location:
Axis Deer has the following variations:
- (Varieties to be confirmed)
